Born Dec. 3, 1943, in Corry, PA, she was the daughter of Carlotta (Mead) Wilcox and the late William Betts. In 1963, she married the late Clifford Nelson. On June 7, 1993, she married Richard L. Craker, who survives.

Carol was a 1961 graduate of Corry Area High School. Following school, she went to work at Blair New Process and later served as a sales rep for Hallmark Cards. She was proud to be a housewife for most of her life and enjoyed watching her children grow up. She was an avid reader and information gatherer. She enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds and butterflies in her backyard. She was known for feeding hummingbirds right out of her hand. She loved to travel and to play golf, both of which led to her wintering in Myrtle Beach for the last 10 years. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren grow. She had an infectious smile and a positive word for everyone she met.